Sugar beet growers ink deal with Lantic Sugar
By Collin Gallant on April 21, 2018.
Medicine Hat News Sugar beet growers and Lantic Sugar have a signed a two-year contract extension, which includes a commitment to develop a rolling contract when the new pact expires in late 2020, according to a press release sent Friday morning. The joint statement also hints at longer term investment in the facility at Taber, which the company threatened to shutter in 2015 after growers rejected what was called “a final offer.” A deal was eventually hammered out in mid-may that year. On Friday, the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers state that 28,000 acres will be planted for the 2019 season to supply the facility. The agreement also includes the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons, after which the two sides hope to a have the framework of a rolling contract in place. ASBG presidents Arnie Bergen-Henengouwen said both parties were looking for an extension to ensure stability. “We wanted to have an extension in place so that investment in the industry can occur from both our processor and our growers,” he said in the statement. Contract talks were finalized April 16. “In the current business climate, it is imperative that we have the ability to sell our product in advance so that we can strategically plan for investment in the plant,” said Lantic’s manager of operations in Taber, Andrew Llewelyn-Jones. “This contract extension provides us the certainty we need to move forward.” The plant, which employs up to 250 workers at peak times, can produce more than 100,000 tonnes of sugar each year that’s sold under the Rogers brand. Unionized workers at the plant signed a five-year contract in early 2017. 13-12
